Mass arrests of new Christian converts in Mashhad, Iran

On July 18, 15 newly converted Christians who were travelling to the north eastern city of Bojnoord to meet and to fellowship with believers were arrested in the city of Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan.

Government security forces reportedly had previous knowledge of this trip and, in a pre-planned and coordinated effort, forced the bus carrying the Christians to be stopped en-route to their destination. The security then boarded the bus and arrested the believers.

All 15 detainees were transferred to the Ministry of Information's central detention centre. In the days that followed, they were subjected to harsh and inhumane interrogations. After one week, 13 of the believers were conditionally freed, after they agreed to sign promissory notes and post bails.

Two remaining detainees, 48-year-old Reza and 23-year-old Ehsan Behrooz, refused to sign any forms or post bail and thus remained in detention at last report. (Source: Farsi Christian News Network)

Please pray the Lord will strengthen these new believers to help them to overcome this trial. Pray the two remaining detainees will be released without charge. Pray the Lord will minister to them and give them the grace and strength they need to stay strong.

Go to the Iran Country Report for more information on the plight of Iranian believers.

Two Christian families in Bangladesh suffer extortion, beatings

Johura Begum with her husband, Bablu Miah Photo from Compass Direct

Villagers backed by a political leader of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League party also allegedly extorted 250,000 taka (approximately $3,660 CAD) from another Christian woman, 35-year-old Komola Begum of Doulatpur village. After the baptisms in the Brahmanputra River in Mymensingh district, local Muslims beat her husband to such an extent that he received three days of hospital treatment for his injuries. "My husband is a scapegoat -- he simply does business," she said. "But he was beaten for my faith and activities." Police forced one of those present at the baptism, 45-year-old Hafijur Rahman, to sign a statement accusing four of the Christian leaders of offering him and others money to attend. He reported that he is illiterate and did not know what he was signing, and that he was not offered any money to go to the baptism service. For three days after the baptisms, local villagers announced through bullhorns the punishment Christians would receive for their activities, chanting among other slogans, "We will peel off the skins of the Christians." (Source: Compass Direct)

Please pray for the Lord's protection upon these people. Pray for justice and favour from the authorities. Pray the Lord will heal and fully restore the husband of Komola Begum.

Go to the Bangladesh Country Report to learn more about the suffering Church in Bangladesh.

Four students taken into custody in Lucknow, India

A team of students from a Bible college in Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh have been attacked and detained by the police for their alleged conversion activities.

The police first beat up the four students belonging to Compassion for India Ministry late in the evening of July 24. The students had been engaged in serving the poor and underprivileged in and around Lucknow. The police team forced the students' pastor to visit them at the police station. The police accused them of participating in conversion activities. The pastor and his team were questioned about their work in detail. The police also extracted money from the pastor before releasing the students from custody. (Source: All Indian Christian Council)

Thank the Lord for the many faithful Christian workers and evangelists in India. Pray these students will be spurred on to continue the good work the Lord has prepared in advance for them. Pray the police will be moved by the witness of these Christians. To post a prayer of solidarity with these believers, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

For more information about persecution in India, go to the India Country Report.

Update: Christian man released from prison in Iran

Photo from FCNN

Thank the Lord for the release of Ali! Pray for Ali as he recuperates from this ordeal. Pray that any charges placed upon him will be dropped. Pray for other Christians facing detention in Iran.

To learn more about the suffering of believers in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report. To read the full report on Ali's detention and release, sign up today to receive the September edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter.